Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe examines the manifestos to see what they propose for beleaguered communities

A change of mindset among Garda top brass is key if the force is to become a more community-focussed police service, better protecting areas ravaged by drugs and crime, write Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe

Last month’s gruesome attacks are indicative of a trend in violent crime that cannot be divorced from the effect of cuts to policing and other services, says Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe.

Garda bosses have described the murder and dismemberment of a 17-year-old boy as “savage”, “shocking” and “unacceptable”.

Figures indicate State use of spying laws fell after a landmark High Court judgment, but their use as an intelligence tool continues, say Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe.

Research and accounts by five gardaí show criminal networks are becoming embedded in society and normalised due to fear, writes Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe.

Former Irish soldier who lived in Islamic State territory denies she was an IS fighter, writes Cormac O’Keeffe

Demands have been made to clarify who knew what, and when, as concerns were raised over a potential unofficial policy to pay off criminals to ensure housing construction sites were not attacked.

Former British intelligence spy inside Sinn Féin, Willie Carlin, talks to Cormac O’Keeffe about Martin McGuinness, the IRA ‘Nutting Squad’ and his fears over possible trials

With Electric Picnic nearing, the Garda’s top drug officer talks to Cormac O’Keeffe about drugs, festivals and testing.

The ‘Irish Examiner’ reported this week on the proposed options for a more liberalised, health-based approach to dealing with people caught with small amounts of drugs.

An expert group has submitted its report on changing the State’s response to drug possession. The Cabinet is due to discuss proposals based on the report tomorrow. Security Correspondent Cormac O'Keefe has obtained a copy and examines its findings.

Cormac O’Keeffe has visited the centre where Ana’s killers are being detained before sentencing

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is to deliver a personal apology to Majella Moynihan, who was threatened with dismissal from An Garda Síochana for having pre-marital sex with another garda recruit and for giving birth to a baby out of wedlock.

People who receive a fine for a criminal offence but who fail to pay up are, in the vast majority of cases, getting away with it and the Courts Service believes the costly enforcement system is increasingly futile, writes Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe.

The assistant garda commissioner has pleaded with youths not to get involved in the drugs trade at any level. We must provide initiatives to help, writes Cormac O’Keeffe.

More gardaí may come under the scrutiny of an internal probe into alleged corruption following the dramatic arrest of three members, including a high-ranking officer.

The armed support unit in Co Louth is “stretched to the limit” as it battles to cover the escalating gang feud in Drogheda, rampaging ATM gangs and patrolling the border as far as Co Cavan.

Cormac O’Keeffe Security Correspondent in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan

Monitoring suspects and managing returnees to this country is the priority, writes security correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe.

The Policing Authority has said the findings of the Disclosures Tribunal report will drive its work in overseeing the Garda obligations to the community and to ethical behaviour.

Mr Justice Charleton sets out seven obligations for gardaí in his report that, if implemented, could see postive change in the force, according to Cormac O’Keeffe.

The Future of Policing in Ireland report has thrown up a range of ‘issues’ that could see proposals get stuck or even sink in the resultant quagmire, says Cormac O’Keeffe.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has said gardaí policing a property repossession on Tuesday “showed restraint” in the face of physical and verbal abuse, but said the way in which face-covering hoods were used by the Public Order Unit was “not correct”.

A teenager has been arrested in the Shanagarry area of East Cork in relation to the seizure of 1.5kg of herbal cannabis.

As he prepares to swear allegiance to the Irish State and take over as Garda commissioner, are there conflicts of interest surrounding former PSNI deputy chief Drew Harris, asks Security Correspondent, Cormac O’Keeffe

The opening of the new Kevin Street Garda Station is a timely boost for the force, writes Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe

With the weights of issues facing the force, and its reluctance to accept outside influence, the former PSNI officer has a tough job ahead, says Cormac O’Keeffe

Three Irish Examiner journalists have refused to tell the Disclosures Tribunal whether Supt David Taylor was a source of allegations against whistle-blower Maurice McCabe.

In an exclusive extract from his new crime novel, security correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe goes behind the headlines with a gritty tale of gangland and the drugs racket

Update 9.18pm: Gardaí investigating the alleged sexual exploitation of children in Munster have released a man without charge.

Gardaí are examining claims that members of the force made a joke around missing Cork woman Tina Satchwell but have not yet decided if disciplinary proceedings are warranted or not.

2017 was dominated by knives, rural crime, burglaries and gangland feuds, reports Security Correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe.

The gang was being monitored locally by Cork drug units, nationally by the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and Customs, and internationally by the EU’s Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre.

More than one in four Garda stations — 156 in total — are still not connected to the force’s IT network and have no direct access to the Pulse system, “shocking” figures reveal.

Acting garda chief won’t seek top post.

Going abroad to solve Ireland’s policing problems is easier said than done.

The Garda Commissioner is facing considerable pressure to publicly comment on multiple controversies as she returns to work this morning after a five-week holiday.

The circumstances in which a three-year-old boy was stabbed and died in south Dublin are being investigated by gardaí tonight.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Garda counter-terrorism officers are to consult with foreign security agencies following the arrest of two men on suspicion of funding so-called Islamic State (IS), writes Cormac O’Keeffe of the Irish Examiner.